While hygge has exactly the same meaning in Norwegian as in Danish and is a widely used word in both Norway and Denmark (including in its derived forms, such as hyggelig), the emphasis specifically on 'hygge' as an important part of their cultural identity is mostly a recent Danish phenomenon in Norway 'hygge' is just a word, similar in status to 'cosy' in English-speaking countries or 'cozy' in the US. It first appeared in Danish writing in the 19th century and has since evolved into the cultural idea known in Denmark and Norway today. In turn, the word comes from the Germanic word hugyan, which is a cognate of the Old English hycgan, meaning 'to think, consider'. The word hugge is of unknown origin but is highly associated with an Old Norse term, hygga, which means 'to comfort', which comes from the word hugr, meaning 'mood'. Hug comes from the 1560s word hugge, which means 'to embrace'. īut it is also speculated that hygge might originate from the word hug. Hygge is built from the Old Norse word hugr which later became the hug which means the soul, mind, consciousness. Hygge stems from hyggja which means 'to think' in Old Norse. The word hygge comes from a Danish word meaning 'to give courage, comfort, joy'. Beginning in the 21st century, the concept of Hygge has expanded its cultural impact in countries outside of Denmark.

As a cultural category with its sets of associated practices hygge has more or less the same meaning in both places and in both languages however, the emphasis on hygge as a core part of Danish culture is a recent phenomenon, dating to the late 20th century. Hygge ( / ˈ h( j) uː ɡ ə/, H(Y)OO-gə Danish: Norwegian: ) is a word in Danish and Norwegian that describes a mood of coziness and 'comfortable conviviality' with feelings of wellness and contentment.

The little book of hygge by meik wiking